Hey all,  Is the plan to do the Mountain Lake Cutoff as you first head out of Blacksburg or do you pick it up at the end as your headed toward the finish?   

I also assume 'The Ridge Alternative' is the part of the route that heads up to Glady.  Is that correct? 

Thanks!

Darren

Hi,  rider from the Philly area and I just found this posting.  Not confirming an official entry, but love the concept and look forward to following the discussion.

Darren

Ok....Got the track into Google Earth...So the overall idea is that you load the track into your portable GPS and then just ensure you follow the track while riding, is that correct?  If the GPS shows your location not on the track you know you've taken a wrong turn.  In the simplest turn is that how it work?

Thanks!

Darren

Rookie question...I can't get the track to show in Google Earth.  I have the Tracks box checked.  I also can't zoom in using TopoFusion.  I get a message saying 'Download Disabled - Re-enable on Toolbar'  Any thoughts on what I'n going wrong on either of these applications?

Thanks.

Darren

Hey - This might be a little late to the game, but I saw that the proceeds of the second volume of the Cordillera are going to go to Dave's daughter's college fund.  Was there any type of Trust fund established that I could just donate directly to, in addition to purchasing the Cordillera?

Thanks.

Darren   

Hello from Philadelphia,

I have a friend who lives in Truckee.  I was out riding with him this summer.  I would love to give this race a try.  Just my two cents, but try and keep the route away from long stretches of technical terrian.  One of the nicest things about the Tour Divide is that it's mostly ridable.  The challenge is in the distance, not that it's rock garden after rock garden....

I'm a rookie with some of the files available.  Is there a way to open your attachment in a map form so I can see the route?

In your other posting with pics, is that the Cannondale Flash that you're riding?

Thanks.

Darren

In reading blogs and race reports last year's Tour Divide already had 8 people to a hotel room and that was with 50ish starters.  You're right that small stores and hotels that people have read about and planned on might not be available with 100 starters.  I'm one of those newbies.  An ITT approach might be the way to go, or 2012.

DC

I might be late to the game on this, but I just saw Salsa now has their Fargo geometry set up to take a 80mm folk.  A Ti version also.  Would this be a set up to consider for a Tour Divide attempt?  Has anyone complete the Tour Divide with drop bars? 

DC

The S route across PA is what you would expect.  Some portions pretty nice and rural, other not so much.  A section through Lancaster and shopping outlets is best done in the daylight.  Also a section through the city of York is a little crazy.  While the route obviously wasn't put together by a rider, it's very well marked and really allows this type of race to take place.

Sorry, haven't had a chance to log on in a few days.  Here is the Crush the Commonwealth route from Bikley....
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Liberty-Bell-to-PPG

Depending on the side of the state you live, either getting to the start or getting home after the race is a little bit of challenge.  The route changes direction each year.  2011 is Pittsburgh to Philly, 2012 will be Philly to Pittsburgh, etc. 

Best approach seems to be to rent a one way Uhaul and load as many bikes and people in as you can.  I'll be taking one from the Philadelphia area to Pittsburgh the day before the race, then hoteling it near the start the night before. 

The rails to trail section near Pittsburgh is on the GAP path, but then it swings off to PA Bike Route S for the majority of the trip across the state.  Final 30ish miles is on paved rail to trail into downtown Philadelphia.   

There's crazy talk about a Pittsburgh to Philadelphia to Pittsburgh one year.....From the blogs I've read the Phittsburgh to Philadelphia direction is the easier direction of the two. 

Darren

Hi,

Love reading everyone's posting, I've been lurking in the background for the past year or so.  The bikepacking style of racing was obviously formed through off road races, but check out 'Crush the Commonwealth' - Pittsburgh to Philadelphia / 400 miles.  First one to Philly wins.  100 miles on rails-to-trails, 300 following a signed PA state cycling route on roads.  All self contained.  Carry or buy what you need along the way.  Hotel, camp, just ride through - you're call.  Same basic rules as Tour Divide.  Just show up at the start, follow route, call in from finish - all on the honor system.   Unlike the Tour Divide, the route actually changes direction each year.  East to west one year, west to east the next.

People trying to figure out how to attach racks and bags to their custom road Serottas.  A thing of beauty.

http://ctcpa.blogspot.com/

Darren   

Ok - I got it.  Thanks.  I missed that section below the map.  Appreciate it.

Hey krefs - When following a rider, you mentioned 'his pace is back to walking speed.'  How can you tell that?  Is it just the distances between the Spot 10 min updates or is there something I could be watching?

Thanks!

Darren

This is a little late for everyone else this year, but I happenned to order and receive Paul Howard's book about last year's race just as the 2010 edition started.  I've found it fun to read the book at the pace of this years racers.  As the majority of the 2010 racers get to a particular town, I then read Paul's recount of the same area from last year.  Interesting to get all the perspectives at the same time.  Also the book offers insight to the areas the racers are going through.  Just happenned to work out...

DC  

Hey everyone,

A big shout out from Philly to all the racers and folks following.  A second shout out to the Adventure Cycling Association who's long, hard work mapped out the trail the racers are following.  Seems like a small donation to the organization would be appropriate from each racer and maybe from all of us following along??

Rookie question...I've heard though the phone-in and read in the blogs folks quoting from the official race maps.  Are those the ACA maps or does the race have others maps you get at the start? 

Thanks!

DC